Watch Letterman Pitch Vettel on Including the Indy 500 in the F1 World Championship

In the 1950s, drivers were able to earn F1 championship points for competing in the Indy 500. Just one driver, Alberto Ascari, came to Indy during the month of May to run the 500 in that time, but he suffered a DNF. In the 1960s, European drivers and teams started frequenting the race more often, but this was for prize money, not F1 points.

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That crossover stopped a long time ago, only happening once in the modern era when Fernando Alonso came and ran Indy this year.

Letterman pitched Vettel on it in 2012. His reaction? Not quite enthusiasm.

Note: This post has been updated to clarify when F1 drivers earned points for running the Indy 500.

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